Title: Trump vs. California: National Guard Clash Over Los Angeles Protests
Large-scale Riots in Los Angeles Spark National Guard Deployment
Trump issues martial law warning - California files a lawsuit in response
Los Angeles is grappling with chaotic scenes as rioters torch self-driving taxis and hurl stones. Yet, the city insists it can manage these disturbances independently. Conversely, President Trump believes otherwise: he's hinted at the application of the "Insurrection Act," akin to martial law.
California intends to sue Trump for issuing orders to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles sans consultation. According to Governor Gavin Newsom, speaking to MSNBC, this move is unlawful, immoral, and unconstitutional. He accused Trump of fueling the flames further.
California's Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, added that deploying the National Guard for 400 rioters would jeopardize local law enforcement's efforts.
Upon arriving in Los Angeles on Sunday, Newsom stated his intentions to monitor the ongoing immigration raids and the protests against them.
Governor Speaks on the Protests in Los Angeles: "Trump is Intentionally Escalating the Situation"
Since Friday, protests targeting the US government's deportation policy have filled the streets of Los Angeles. These demonstrations, often violent, encompass attacks on masked and armed federal police during citywide immigration raids.
Despite the city and state's lack of support, Trump ordered the deployment of 2000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Saturday. On Sunday, Trump justified this action, citing the need to preserve "law and order." He expressed a keen interest in assessing the situation before deciding his next steps.
Newsom deemed Trump's tactics an intentional provocation, as the president aims to leverage his authoritarian display to circumvent existing laws.
Trump's National Guard Everywhere?
On Sunday, protesters torched at least three self-driving cars belonging to Waymo. Police vehicles were also damaged. Traffic on a Los Angeles highway ground to a halt for over an hour due to a protest gathering.
The Los Angeles police dispersed the protesters using stun and smoke grenades. It's worth noting that the majority of protesters were exercising their right to free speech peacefully.
Trump hasn't ruled out deploying troops in other US cities. He suggested soldiers could be sent "everywhere." "We won't let this country be torn apart," Trump said.
When questioned, Trump didn't dismiss the idea of imposing martial law to control the protests. However, he stated there's no immediate need to enact the "Insurrection Act."
Trump's decree regarding the mobilization of the National Guard references "a form of rebellion" against state authority but does not explicitly mention Los Angeles. Consequently, it could be applied anywhere in the US.
Usually, states control the National Guard, a military reserve unit under the U.S. armed forces. Each state has its own guard, which can be used for wildfires, tornadoes, floods, or domestic unrest. In such instances, the guard falls under the command of the respective governor.
During times of war or national emergencies, the U.S. President can take control. Deploying the National Guard against a governor's wishes is a rare demonstration of federal power. Since 1965, no U.S. president has commanded a state's National Guard against its will[1][2][3][4].
Sources: ntv.de, chr/dpa
- California
- Los Angeles
- Protests
- Donald Trump
I'm not going to say that I'm not concerned about the escalating politics surrounding the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, particularly in light of President Trump's intentions to potentially apply the "Insurrection Act" and deploy troops "everywhere." The general-news and crime-and-justice aspects of this situation are increasingly complex, as shown by California's legal challenge against Trump's unilateral decision to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles without consultation.
